Chapter 100 — The White and Pale Crumble to Dust, Only Lionel Messi Still Sweet as Ever
The UEFA Champions League is the highest honor all European clubs, coaches, players and even fans yearn for.
After Arsenal broke the curse of the 16th round, Arsenal fan circles — even all of London and the UK — were talking about the quarter-final draw.
In recent days, when Arsenal fans were interviewed by London TV, they couldn't hide their excitement: "I can't wait to see the draw. I've dreamed several times about Málaga!"
Among the last eight, La Liga's Málaga was undoubtedly the weakest, while Real Madrid and Barcelona were clearly the worst possible draws.
That fan's remark represented what most people felt.
Until Xia Qi voiced a different opinion…
On the way to the Colney training ground, waiting at a traffic light, a fan rolled down a car window and shouted to Xia Qi, "Málaga! Come on!"
Xia Qi was a little displeased but didn't retort.
At the gate of the Colney training ground many fans asked for autographs.
After signing for them, another fan shouted, "Málaga! Come on!"
The 18-year-old Xia Qi couldn't hold it in any longer and felt he had to say something.
He replied, "Barça! We'll play Barcelona!"
The fan was stunned on the spot, an expression like: holy crap! You're an undercover agent!
Xia Qi explained: "Because Barcelona are our nemesis. In the quarter-finals we need to face them!
I want our Champions League journey to be more than just a title chase; it should be a path of revenge.
Of course it would be even more meaningful if we met Barcelona in the final, but what if Barcelona get knocked out? So next round we'll play Barcelona!
Revenge can't wait a night!"
The fans paused, then erupted into huge cheers: "Barça!" "Barça!" — waves of chant.
After that, Arsenal supporters split into two camps: one, led by Arsène Wenger, wanted to play it safe and hoped for the weakest opponent Málaga; the other, led by Xia Qi, were the revenge faction hoping to draw Barcelona.
Neither view was right or wrong; they simply came from different stances. Wenger smiled to reporters: "Young people who don't run a household don't know the price of rice; a man with a family won't pick fights with money…"
...
After the game with Bayern, Arsenal entered the 30th round of the Premier League; Arsenal and title rivals Manchester United had both played one game fewer.
In Premier League round 29, because of Champions League round-of-16 second legs, Arsenal vs Everton and West Ham vs Manchester United were postponed to April 17.
In the 30th round, Swansea 0–2 Arsenal, Manchester United 1–0 Reading.
After round 30, though both teams had a game in hand, Arsenal and Manchester United still sat top two.
Arsenal: 23 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses — 73 points.
Manchester United: 23 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses — 71 points.
The gap remained two points.
After the match, Arsenal's request to the Football Association to postpone Premier League round 31 was rejected.
Once this news broke, most British media thought United would eventually overtake Arsenal.
Here's why:
On March 26 England host Lithuania, and Arsenal's forwards and midfielders would be called up en masse.
After that Arsenal had a relentless schedule: March 30 (Premier League round 31), April 3 (Champions League quarter-final first leg), April 6 (Premier League round 32) — four matches in 11 days!
This dense run would be Arsenal's Waterloo. Aside from "top four," Arsenal habitually faltered in other competitions at season's end — it's a tradition, like Tottenham's trophy drought.
Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United were different; Ferguson was a master at harvesting points late in the season.
Media believed Arsenal would not survive this hump and that United overtaking them was the likely outcome.
Bookmakers agreed with the media: they raised Arsenal's title odds and lowered United's.
Robin van Persie defiantly announced: "If we're knocked out of the Champions League, my advantage remains!" sparking debate over which club would have the last laugh.
That was later.
After round 30 concluded, the Champions League quarter-final draw took place as scheduled.
The organizers invited all eight coaches and their marquee players.
That night Wenger flew with Xia Qi to Nyon.
At the official hotel, Xia Qi saw his idols: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain's David Beckham… and also the young handsome "special one" and the "magic bird" who didn't get along with Wenger…
Messi was humble and low-key, as Xia Qi had already known, but he hadn't expected Cristiano Ronaldo to be devoid of airs either.
The media often described Ronaldo as domineering, yet he was approachable; Cristiano even asked Xia Qi if he'd be interested in building a dynasty at Real Madrid.
Go to Real Madrid?
At Arsenal Xia Qi was a cornerstone of the team — impossible…
The day before the draw there was a red-carpet event; Western etiquette required formalwear.
Joanna brought Armani and Versace; Xia Qi thought Armani was a bit mature, so he chose Versace.
There was an order for walking the red carpet; Xia Qi was positioned between Messi and Ronaldo.
His agent Joanna bluntly called the order: rubbish.
Who cares about the person in the middle when Messi's ahead and Ronaldo's behind?
Wenger was displeased — not only was it a slight to USM (Joanna's agency) but it also affronted Arsenal. Wenger believed that if Sir Alex were in his place the organizers would not have arranged it that way.
Xia Qi didn't mind. In elite sport everything speaks through ability. He was new, backed by Arsenal and USM (ranked ninth globally; the top was the Starry Sky Group Barnett, Mendes third, Raiola fourth).
Arsenal, USM and he weren't top-tier celebrities; getting pushed around was normal.
At eight in the evening the red carpet began.
First the eight coaches entered. Wenger's face carried weight; he walked the red carpet first, Ancelotti second, José Mourinho third…
Mourinho reportedly made a fuss. His request was simple: as long as his presence matched Wenger's, that was enough — their story is long and complicated…
After the coaches the players entered: David Beckham led the pack. Messi and Ronaldo were obviously front and center; Messi first, Xia Qi third, Cristiano Ronaldo fourth…
Xia Qi's placement between Messi and Ronaldo wasn't due to stature or fame; Messi and Ronaldo need a human buffer between them, like Ancelotti.
(Carlo Ancelotti would go on to exceed Wenger and Mourinho in achievements; in 2013 he and Xia Qi were on the same level, especially his 2005 half-time champagne that transformed him from a second-class coach into a renowned manager. As with Boateng, people often recall Messi dribbling past him and thus underestimate his quality; Boateng is in fact a high-class center-back.)
Beckham's entrance drew roars Xia Qi could hear from a corner. Xia Qi admired Beckham. In the West, most men and women over their thirties become less photogenic, but Beckham was an exception.
A few minutes later, Messi's roar filled the venue.
Three minutes later a black car delivered Xia Qi. The door opened.
A thunderous shout: "Xia Qi!" "Xia—"
Xia Qi was startled. Joanna had misled him. He thought his role was minor, merely ceremonial, but "bridesmaids and groomsmen" had etiquette and standing.
Whether Ancelotti or he, they had some "status" and were not far behind the "stars."
Xia Qi waved to fans calling his name and blushed as cheers grew.
His first time on a red carpet made him a little nervous; he walked briskly, unlike Messi who paused to interact with fans and journalists, stopping only after several camera rolls had been spent.
Soon he "caught up" to Messi.
Seeing Xia Qi's awkwardness, Messi remembered his first time and pulled Xia Qi along to pose for photos.
As they entered the building, cheers almost as loud as for Beckham rose behind them.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived; Ronaldo and Messi were neck-and-neck in turnout, though Cristiano's fanbase skewed female slightly, giving his roar a higher pitch.
Seated arrangements in the venue didn't reflect the red-carpet proximity. Messi and Ronaldo sat in the first row; Xia Qi was placed in the third row.
None of that mattered much.
After the UEFA president's address, the draw was hosted by Portuguese legend Luís Figo.
The Champions League quarter-final draw is random — there's no country protection and no seeding.
To make the last eight you can't be too weak.
The draw determines opponents and which leg is home or away.
The final pairings were:
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain vs Juventus
Málaga vs Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid vs Galatasaray
(The first team listed plays the first leg at home.)
When Arsenal drew Barcelona, the camera cut to Arsène Wenger.
You could see him trying hard to control his expression, but he failed; his smile looked worse than a cry.
Over eight years Arsenal's struggles had been largely engineered by Barcelona for five of those years.
Rumor had it Barça did three things daily: eat, sleep, beat Arsenal.
Wenger certainly didn't want to face Barcelona. He wasn't like Xia Qi who sought emotional catharsis; he had to consider the club's revenue.
The camera also cut to Xia Qi.
Xia Qi was excited, clenching his fist in a silent celebration.
News that Xia Qi wanted Barcelona spread across the English media and into Europe.
Figo joked, "Arsenal's guests seem to have differing opinions about Barça?"
Both Wenger and Xia Qi felt awkward.
...
After the draw, British media sighed.
Arsenal had drawn the worst possible opponent — there was no worse draw.
Compared to Real Madrid, Barcelona historically pitted more problematically against Arsenal!
And Arsenal would play the first leg at home!
It couldn't be worse.
Nearly every sports outlet put Arsenal vs Barcelona on their front pages.
Arsenal had suffered badly in recent years, repeatedly falling to Barcelona's slaughter. This year they had improved, edging to the verge of the quarter-finals.
Among the eight coaches only Borussia Dortmund's Jürgen Klopp disagreed with the common view.
"A team that can eliminate Bayern has title potential. This year Barça isn't the strongest Barça; which side wins is still unknown."
"Do you think Arsenal have a chance? They've lost five times in a row."
"I know they have a very outstanding player — Xia Qi. He is dangerous; he can change a match."
Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova said in an interview:
"Barça have faced Arsenal five times and advanced five times — this won't be different.
That Chinese youngster is indeed very strong; he's even the top scorer in the Champions League.
But we have Lionel Messi, Cesc Fàbregas… great players, and I think Messi will be even stronger…"
On March 22 Xia Qi, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere reported to the England national team.
On March 26 at Wembley, Xia Qi experienced the first national-team match of his life.
Xia Qi's parents closed their noodle shop so they could attend and support their son.
But Roy Hodgson left Xia Qi on the bench for a grinding 75 minutes.
On the pitch, England's star names had reputations exceeding their form; facing Lithuania's bus defense they couldn't find a way through.
By halftime England fans were already calling Xia Qi's name.
Hodgson initially remained unmoved, but at the 75th minute, with the score still 0–0, after much deliberation he finally substituted Xia Qi on for Wayne Rooney.
Rooney came off looking displeased…
But Xia Qi's subsequent performance had Rooney grin from ear to ear.
Arsenal's young trio unleashed a firepower eruption: Xia Qi scored twice, Walcott and Wilshere each netted one, and England won 4–0.
That weekend, in Premier League round 31, Wenger rested his main players.
The Arsenal first five watched the match from the stands.
When news spread, Manchester United thought their chance had come.
Instead they nearly stumbled at home, almost held to a draw by Sunderland, only to be rescued by Robin van Persie after learning Arsenal had beaten Reading 4–1.
In full force van Persie produced a thunderous volley — the only goal and match-winner.
Sunderland 0–1 Manchester United.
So after round 31 the gap remained unchanged.
Ferguson said afterward he wasn't worried; the league is a long marathon — they hadn't been overtaken yet.
With the Premier League wrapped, the Champions League loomed.
Wenger shut himself in the video analysis room, studying frame by frame.
On paper Barcelona look formidable in 2012/13.
In La Liga they began with six straight wins.
In the first 19 rounds they had 18 wins and 1 draw, leading the league by 11 points at the halfway stage.
After 31 rounds they sat on 85 points, comfortably ahead of Real Madrid — the highest point total across Europe's top five leagues.
But Wenger saw their weaknesses.
Barcelona's defense was unstable; to date they had conceded 60 goals across competitions while Arsenal had conceded only 42 (league, cups, Champions League).
Wenger's analysis found Barca's defensive frailty came from an average team height of only 1.76 meters.
Most conceded goals were from corners and set-piece aerial situations.
Second, with Pep Guardiola's departure, Barcelona's ability to control games when pressed and harried had declined.
A control percentage in the low 60s compared to Guardiola's 65% seems slight but makes a real difference.
Third, Barca's hunger had waned. Under Guardiola they hoarded trophies; now their appetite for victory had lessened.
Finally, several key players were past their peaks.
Carles Puyol 35, Xavi 33, David Villa 32, Andrés Iniesta 30…
The white and pale crumble to mud and are ground into dust,
only Lionel Messi still smells sweet as ever!
It turns out I owe Xia Qi an apology — Barcelona can be beaten!
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Bankai10